The "Scrubs" star learned to look out for her own health after watching her mother come to terms with losing both breasts to cancer.

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Judy Reyes had just arrived in Los Angeles to pursue her acting career when she heard the horrible news: Her mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Soon she was back in her native Bronx, N.Y., supporting her mother through not only a double mastectomy and chemotherapy, but also menopause. It was an emotional journey for both women. Reyes learned for the first time that her incredibly strong mother was not invincible. And her mother had to come to terms with the loss of her breasts.

Reyes, 41, whose Hollywood dreams did eventually come true with a starring role as Nurse Carla Espinosa on the ABC sitcom "Scrubs," talked about her experience with EverydayHealth.com.

Everyday Health: When you heard that your mother had breast cancer, how did that affect you?

Judy Reyes: You always think that your mom's made of steel and is so strong and so brave. You never think it's going to happen to her, and then it does. And she starts freaking out right in front of you, and you're like, "Oh my God." It was a very scary thing to go through.

Everyday Health: How did your mom find out she had cancer?

Judy Reyes: She had a little bump in a breast. She went to the gynecologist, who told her again and again it was only a cyst. Finally, she got a second opinion. It was malignant. She was in her fifties, and she had to have a mastectomy and go through menopause at the same time.

Everyday Health: While your mother was going through this, what did you feel you had to do for her?

Judy Reyes: I just had to be there for her. But it's hard to put yourself in a woman's role when she's going to lose her breasts.

Everyday Health: Did she talk about her feelings?

Judy Reyes: No. It is a different generation. My mom came here from the Dominican Republic just after my first sister was born. We were one of the first Dominican families here in the '60s. We lived in the Bronx, and it wasn't easy. But my mother was so strong. She took such great care not to cry - not to hurt in front of us.

Everyday Health: Was there a moment when your mom finally broke down?

Judy Reyes: One day, after the surgery, I got a phone call from my younger sister. She couldn't get my mom out of the bathroom. It was the first time my mom actually looked at herself [after the double mastectomy]. She was unbelievably unreachable. The rage was out of control. She was on a relentless emotional journey.

Everyday Health: What was your reaction?

Judy Reyes: I was in L.A., and it was heartbreaking because I felt so disconnected. As her daughter, I wished I had been there. I asked myself, "Why wasn't it me there with her?" It was the the worst time of her life.

Everyday Health: What advice do you have for other women whose mothers may be at risk for breast cancer?

Judy Reyes: Make sure your moms are getting checkups. I know our African-American and our Latin moms, especially, sacrifice themselves to everything else going on in their lives. They surrender to the needs of others: their kids or whoever else needs to be taken care of. We need to take preventive measures. We need to start with getting our screenings. For the sake of traditions, we're still eating our deep-fried chips and stuff. But consider using olive oil instead of corn oil. We need to exercise and to take walks. It's really the simple stuff.

Everyday Health: Did this experience change the way you take care of your own health?

Judy Reyes: Oh, incredibly. My cousin died of breast cancer at 36. My mother had breast cancer, and her mother died of ovarian cancer. So I know that at least in my immediate family, we carry a risk. I do really have to take care of myself.

I get my mammogram and a breast sonogram and my Pap smear done at my checkup. I'm much fitter now than my mother was at this age.

Everyday Health: And you're working to raise money for breast cancer research, correct?

Judy Reyes: Yes, I was a celebrity co-host in L.A. for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. It was an honor. It was very moving to see so many women at various stages of survival and women in the process of actually going through breast cancer treatment. They have been through the experience, and they have such strength. It's amazing to see what people sacrifice and how resilient they can be.

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